Obituary of John W. Coultas

John William Coultas, 54, of Peoria, IL, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born on August 24, 1971, to Bill and Jane Coultas, John was the cutest little baby with curly hair and the roundest little cheeks. He was the light of his parents’ lives from the day he was born. His childhood was filled with Little League, soccer games, and teasing his sisters. He continued his love of soccer into his teenage years and added skateboarding, hacky sack, and flirting to his list of talents. He had a very special bond with his grandparents and cousins and spent countless days fishing and riding in the back of his grandpa’s red pick-up truck, which would eventually become his own prized possession. 

 

In high school, John was the life of the party and never knew a stranger. He hosted many a party, most he wasn’t supposed to, and had a devoted group of friends that filled the Coultas house with laughs and love. After high school, John attended Parkland Community College before transferring to and graduating from the University of Wisconsin, an accomplishment that filled his parents and sisters with immense pride, and where he was named as a Gaylord Nelson Scholar. When he wasn’t in class, he was following the Grateful Dead across the country. 

 

After college, before he was able to begin his “adult life,” John suffered a life-altering traumatic brain injury followed by a debilitating stroke a few months later that left him with limited use of the right side of his body. John was as tough as they come, with a gentle soul. He lived every day of the last 30 years with the strength and tenacity of 100 men. He was loved beyond measure by his parents, sisters, nephew and nieces, other special friends, and family. He never met a dog that didn’t immediately love him. There was no one on earth who loved candy, Starbucks, Monical’s Pizza, the Wisconsin Badgers, and the Green Bay Packers more than John. For almost a decade, John and Bill spent the month of February driving across Florida visiting family and friends, spending a minimum of three days at John’s favorite place, South Beach. From a young age, John was an old soul who made friends of all ages. 

 

Over the last 30 years, John has received loving care and support from many caregivers and was cared for every single day by his devoted family. John taught his family the meaning of unconditional love. All who knew him were lucky, but those who loved him and whom he loved back, were the luckiest.  

 

John is survived by his beloved parents, Bill and Jane Coultas of Peoria; his proud and devoted sisters and brother-in-law, Martha Coultas of Peoria and Emily and Caleb Miller of Chatham, nephew, Charlie Miller and nieces Etta and Poppy Miller, whom he was immensely proud to be their uncle; numerous loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 

Cremation rites have been accorded. Cremation Specialist of Illinois is assisting the family.  A private burial service will be held at a later date. 

 

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Wildlife Conservation Society or the Illinois Nature Conservancy. Online condolences may be left at www.CSofIL.com.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John Coultas, please visit our Tree Store